The Queensland Party Candidate for Cairns D.J.Hunt has labeled the recent trip to Cairns by the Premier nothing more than a PR stunt with little provided to substantially help the devastated Far North Queensland economy and tourism industry.
Mr Hunt said "Now that the Premier has ridden off into the sunset on her white horse it is time to look objectively at what was offered here. Instead of glamour fluff pieces and massages, where were the hard questions and scrutiny on what was being offered for our region? We get chucked a few crumbs as the Premier fed the chooks like old Joh Bjelke and we’re supposed to fawn about and be thankful we got anything.”
“The money the Far North was given for promoting tourism will be utilized but let’s be real, how far will that go? If the government wants to give the Far North region something of substance, why don’t they subsidise South China Airlines or Air Asia for direct flights to Cairns to the same amount they did for South China Airlines to fly to Brisbane? The Cairns Post reported 50,000 visitors wanted to come here but couldn’t. If those visitors would have spent $1,000 here, that’s $50million our economy missed out on. The government’s original decision, to subsidise direct flights to Brisbane instead of Cairns, shows where the governments focus is and always will be and that is South East Queensland.”
Mr Hunt said “We’re not asking for anything out of the ordinary here. If the government could do it for Brisbane, why won’t they do it for Cairns? Out of sight, out of mind. That’s why. We need the government to prove to the people of Cairns that this trip was more than just a PR stunt. The Premier claims to have listened to the people up here. Had the government dragged themselves away from the stage managed photo stops and asked operators if they had the choice between the current offer and subsidizing direct flights to Cairns from South China Airlines or Air Asia they would have heard that steps like this would provide an immediate boost to our economy. ”
“Also, the issue of dredging the inlet was raised whilst the state was supposedly being run from Cairns. Not a word on that issue. Instead of glamour photo shoots, how about a commitment to looking at the issue of dredging our inlet so that we can take advantage of the booming cruise ship industry market? The Queensland Party has repeatedly called for action on this issue. Again real steps, real action that will have a significant and more importantly long term benefit for our area, beyond the next election.”
Mr Hunt stated “The deal the government struck for Brisbane airport has been kept secret. The people of the Far North deserve to know what they missed out on. The Queensland Party calls on the government to honour their promise to make public the amount of the subsidy given so that it can be determined if a similar amount can be provided for the same deal for Cairns. I believe the people of the Far North deserve that much.”
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